Asad Qaiser calls on the govt to publicly announce its readiness to engage in negotiations with the PTI

ISLAMABAD, April 06 (SABAH): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader and former speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has called on the government to publicly announce its readiness to engage in negotiations with the PTI, while also expressing his party’s willingness to consider constitutional amendments for adjustments to the election schedule beyond the 90-day requirement under the law.

“We want the government to sit together [for talks on elections] and we are also ready for a constitutional amendment, if for one time, the [polls] can be extended beyond 90 days. What more flexibility can we offer?” he said during in an interview with a private TV channel.

The PTI leader said it was the responsibility of the government to officially make a move for [talks] and the PM must announce that they want to hold talks. “Then we will sit and settle the matters together — this is the need of the hour that political leaders talk things out.”

As part of his push for negotiations, Asad Qaiser asserted that the PTI is ready to confront any obstacles that may arise, but he highlighted the importance of prioritising the country and its citizens.

“He [Imran] has repeatedly spoken about the need for negotiations, but unfortunately, his calls for talks are often misunderstood as a sign of weakness,” Asad Qaiser remarked.

Asad Qaiser questioned, “What will become of our country? At the end of the day, politics should be for the betterment of the nation and its people.”

He claimed that the government’s decision to flout court orders on the Punjab poll date would be unconstitutional and indicative of a government that is only focused on its own interests, further eroding its popularity and paving the way for its “political demise”.

The PTI leader emphasised the importance of adhering to the law with regard to the election date. He argued that even a small fluctuation in the poll date must be approved according to the law to ensure that the election is conducted in a manner that is fair and just, and free from any objections.

Asad Qaiser said anyone losing polls must not raise a hue and cry over the result. “This is what we want.”

He criticised the government’s “confrontational approach” and stressed the need for constructive dialogue. He also highlighted the PTI’s willingness to support a constitutional amendment for the poll date extension, saying it demonstrated the party’s commitment to a fair and transparent election process.

The former National Assembly speaker, however, expressed doubts about the government’s commitment to resolving the ongoing political crisis through constructive dialogue. He questioned whether the government was truly interested in ending the crisis and initiating talks, stressing that the needs of Pakistan and its people must take precedence.

Asad Qaiser said he believed that those at the helm were “far removed from sanity”. The frustration boiling in the country is dangerous and this will sweep everyone away, he told the interviewer.

He also voiced his apprehensions about the prevailing political situation, stating his belief that those in power were not thinking clearly. He cautioned that the simmering frustration among the masses was reaching a “dangerous level”, and posed a significant threat to the country’s stability.

He insisted on the importance of national unity in creating an environment that was conducive to fair and transparent elections, and acceptable to all stakeholders. He highlighted the need for the people of the country to exercise their right to choose their leaders and determine the future of the country.